What is “end play”

[bushmaster1313]

In a post on a subforum
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/653224-did-i-get-ok-deal.html

The OP said end play on a revolver he bought was was .001

What does that mean?

 

[BigBoku]

Short answer,

End Play/ End Shake is the front to rear movement of the cylinder when it is closed/latched into the frame.

 

[OKFC05]

Push the cylinder forward and measure the barrel/cylinder gap with a feeler gauge. Push the cyl back and measure again. The difference is the end play/end shake. End play of .001 is great. A gap around .004 is great; up to .012 S&W now calls acceptable.

 

[stansdds]

You actually need just a little end play (end shake) for reliable functioning. 0.001" of end shake is good. With S&W revolvers, the current factory limit for end shake has grown to 0.006", compared to Colt, which states 0.003" as the maximum for their revolvers.